Means for and method of forming design stitch patterns on knitting machines

ABSTRACT

Mechanism for and method of forming design stitches in courses of flat fabric blanks on a straight bar knitting machine by individually transferring stitches from the needles of a group of needles on which the stitches are originally formed to other needles in the group. The mechanism includes a single point, selecting means for positioning the point in alignment with each needle of the group, and selectively operated cam means for shifting the point to transfer the stitch from a needle of the group determined by the selecting means to another needle of the group, and for shifting the point from the needle of the group determined by the selecting means into alignment with another needle of the group and then shifting the point to transfer the stitch on the latter needle to a further needle of the group.

United States Patent {72} Inventor Herbert E. Haehnel 3,l00,973 8/l963 Brown etal 66/96 Reading, Pa. 3,242,697 3/1966 Harrison et al. 66/96 [2l] Appl. No. 552,334 3,246,488 4/1966 Harrison et ail. 4 i 66/96 [22] Filed May 23, 1966 3,256,718 6/1966 Boutillette et al. 66/96 [45] PuILnICd .lllllf-I l, 1971 3,290,899 l2/l966 Kaltsas et al 66/96 [73] Assignee lgits'tlljiuAl-rgnherllcm Rockwell Corporation Primary Emmner*Ronald Feldbaum Altorneys-John R. Bronaugh, Floyd S. Levinson, E` Dennis OConnor and Richard A. Speer [54] MEANS FOR AND METHOD OF FORMING DESIGN Ol?? KNTTING MACHINES ABSTRACT: Mechanism for and :method of forming design a g lgsstitches in courses of flat fabric blanks on a straight bar Us. ..2 knitting machine transferring stitches from [he i l Int. D04b need|es of a group 0f needles on which the Stitches are [50] Field of Search 66/89, 90, originally formed to other needles in the group. The 95, 96, 70, 76. |69, i7()y 171 180, 189 mechanism includes a single point selecting means for positionin the oint in ali nment with each needle of the rou [56] References Cited and seglectively operategd cam means for shifting the pint tl) UNITED STATES PATENTS transfer the stitch from a needle of the group determined by 2,005,070 6/1935 Bitzer 66/96 the selecting means to another needle of the group, and for 2,182,220 l2/l939 Bitzer 66/96 shifting the point from the needle olf the group determined by 2,287,480 6/ l 942 Lambach.. 66/96 the selecting means into alignment with another needle of the 2,923,142 2/ 1960 Golaski 66/96 group and then shifting the point to transfer the stitch on the 3,004,415 lO/ l 961 Golaski 66/96 latter needle to a further needle ofthe group.

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SHEET 5 nf 5 /95 /af 925 A 10,- /of /95 er be e Q e a /e E J/a? /96 /96 @fof 7? p MEANS FOR AND METHOD F FORMING DESIGN STITCH PATTERNS ON KNITTING MACHINES This invention relates to straight bar or full-fashioned knitting machines and more particularly to means for and a method of forming cable stitch patterns in fabric blanks such as for sweaters and the like knitted thereon.

In the so-called cable stitch patterns formed in flat knitted fabric blanks such as for sweaters like groups of stitches at opposite sides of the pattern are transferred in opposite directions with the stitches at one side being transferred into the wales in which the stitches at the other side of the pattern were formed and with the stitches initially formed in the latter wales being transferred to the wales in which the first mentioned stitches were formed. Heretofore, in forming the cable stitch patterns on full-fashioned knitting machines, pairs of combs were provided with each comb having a number of points equal to one-half the number of needles required to form the pattern, and the combs, after the points thereon removed the stitches from the needles, were moved in opposite directions, or both combs were moved in one direction, to transfer the stitches on the left comb to the needles forming the stitches on the right side of the pattern but without transferring the latter stitches, and both combs were then moved in the opposite direction to transfer the stitches on the right comb to the needles on which the stitches transferred by the left comb were formed. In addition to the means required to move the combs along the needle row means were also required to move the combs out of vertical alignment with each other which not only resulted in a complicated and costly mechanism but also frequently resulted in the production of defective fabric when stitches were inadvertently dropped from the combs when they were out of alignment.

It is an object of the-present invention to provide a novel stitch transfer mechanism in a straight bar knitting machine for forming transferred or cable stitch patterns in flat selvaged fabric blanks that will overcome the above noted and other objections to prior mechanisms for the same purpose.

Another object of the invention is the provision of means in a straight bar knitting machine for forming transferred stitch patterns in fabric blanks knitted on such machines, which means includes a single point and means for controlling the operation of the single point to individually transfer stitches in one direction from needles at one side of a group of needles to needles at the other side of the group of needles and to individually transfer stitches in an opposite direction from the needles at the other side of the group to the needles forming the first-mentioned stitches.

A further object of the invention is to provide a method of operating a full-fashioned knitting machine whereby stitches are formed on groups of needles and are individually transferred in opposite directions to other needles of the groups of needles to produce cable stitch patterns in flat selvaged fabric blanks knitted on the machine.

With these and other objects in view which will become apparent from the following detailed description of the illustrative embodiment of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings, the invention resides in the novel elements, features of construction and cooperation of parts, as hereinafter more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a portion of a multiscction fullfashioned knitting machine having mechanism according to the invention incorporated therein;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view on an enlarged scale of individual ones ofthe group of operating cams as seen looking in the direction of the arrows 2-2 of FIG. l;

FIG` 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line and in the direction of the arrows 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view on an enlarged scale of mechanism shown in FIG. l but with certain of the parts being shown in different operating positions;

FIG. 5 is a view on an enlarged scale of the mechanism of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a view of a portion of the mechanism of FIG. 5 as seen from the left thereof;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line and in the direction of the arrows 7-7 of FIG. l;

FIG. 8 is a view ofa modified form of cams to be substituted for certain of the cams of FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic view of the stitch formation of one form offabric made with the mechanism of the invention;

FIG. I0 is a view similar to FIG. 9 showing another form of fabric made with the mechanism ofthe invention;

FIG. ll is a view diagrammatically illustrating the sequence of steps required in forming the design stitch courses of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. I] illustrating a modified sequence of steps required in forming certain of the design stitch courses of FIG. 9.

Referring to the drawings and more particularly to FIGS. I and 3 there is shown a portion ofa multiscction full-fashioned knitting machine for knitting flat selvaged fabric blanks, such as for sweaters and the like, including a center frame l5, a front beam Il, a back beam l2 a front bed or table 13 and'a center bed I4. The beams and beds are secured to the center frames and end frames (not shown) to form the usual framework of the machine. Each knitting section of the machine has a row of spring-bearded needles l0 which are carried in a needle bar I6 and which cooperate with sinkers 18 (FIG. 4) and knockover bits (not shown). The needles, sinkers and knockover bits are operated by levers and cams on a camshaft I7 to knit yarns fed thereto into courses of stitches of the fabric blanks. The needles, sinkers and knockover bits are also adapted to be operated through fashioning cycles by cams (not shown) on the camshaft I7 under the control of a main pattern chain device 20 of the machine when the camshaft is shifted toward the left, as viewed in FIG. I, by the chain device in the conventional manner.

The machine is also provided witlh point combs, one of which is shown at 2l in FIG. l, which are carried on narrowing rods 22 supported on a front narrowing shaft 23 and the narrowing shaft and combs are operated through dipping movements by mechanisms 19 and through transferring movements by spindle mechanism at the ends of the machine (not shown) to fashion the selvages of the fabric blanks in a conventional manner. The shaft 23 is also provided with one or more fingers 24, in each knitting section of the machine, each of which has a single stitch transferring point 25 for forming design stitch patterns in the fabric blanks, such as shown in FIGS. 9 and l0, in the manner hereinafter set forth during fashioning cycles of the machine. The fingers 24 are carried on a rod 26 which is mounted for endwise or axial shifting movements in brackets 27 carried on the front narrowing shaft 23.

The mechanism for shifting the rod 26 axially shown herein is generally of the type shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,182,220 and includes a base 3l carried in fixed position on the front narrowing shaft 23. The base 31 rotatably supports a sprocket wheel 32 having a portion for pivotally supporting a lever 36 for a pawl 37 adapted to act on the teeth of a ratchet wheel 40 secured to the sprocket wheel. The lever 36 and pawl 37 are operated to act on the ratchet wheel 40 to index the sprocket wheel 32 to advance an endless chain 4l supported on the sprocket wheel and an idler sprocket (not shown), carried on the shaft 23, by means of and in a manner hereinafter set forth.

The chain 4l is provided with buttons or pins 42 of different lengths for cooperation with a follower portion 45 on one end of a sleeve 46 rotatably carried on a shaft portion 48 of a stud 49 (FIGS. 4 and 5). The stud 49 has a second shaft portion S0 which is eccentric to portion 48 and which is supported in a member 47 secured to a slide bar Sl mounted in the base 3l. A disc 52, secured to the opposite end of the sleeve 46, is provided with diametrically opposed face cam portions S3 each having a high surface 54 for engagement with opposed sets of different height buttons carried on a disc 5S. The disc 55 is loosely mounted on the shaft portion 48 between the disc 52 and an enlarged head 56 of the stud 49 (FIG. 5).

The disc S5 is similar to the disc 497 of said U.S. Pat. No. 2, l 82,220, but where disc 497 was provided with opposed sets of three buttons each of which included a high button 502, an intermediate or'neutral button 503 and a low button 504, the disc 55 is provided with opposed sets of four buttons 57, 60, 6l and 62 (FIG. 6). Buttons 57, 60 and 61 correspond to buttons 504, 503 and 502, respectively, of said patent and button 62 is of a height greater than button 61` The difference in height between each of the buttons 57, 60, 61 and 62 is equal to the spacing between two needles for purposes hereinafter set forth. The buttons 57, 60, 61 and 62 are provided with portions of reduced diameter for insertion into holes in the disc 55 and the reduced portion of one of the buttons 62 is extended beyond the disc for engagement in an aperture 65 in the member 47, asshown in FIG. 5, for preventing rotation of the disc relative to the member 47.

The slide bar l carries a bracket 66 for engagement with a collar 67 on the rod 26 and a spring 70 connected between the base 31 and the bracket tends to bias the bracket toward engagement with the collar (FIGS. 1 and 4). During knitting cycles of the machine the rod 26 is held in an inactive position to the right of its normal operating position and at this time the spring 70 also moves the slide bar 51, the member 47 and the follower portion 45 thereon to the right beyond the highest buttons 42 on the chain 41, as shown in FIG. 1, to permit indexing movements of the chain. For so moving the rod 26 to the right the left end ofthe rod is adapted to engage a horizontally movable slide bar 71 having a roller follower 72 for engagement with high and low surfaces 75 and 76, respectively, on a vertically movable cam slide 77A The cam slide 77 is connected to a rock lever 80 pivotally mounted on a fixed part of the machine framework and the rock lever is adapted to be operated to raise and lower the cam slide by a lever 81 having a roller follower 82 for engagement with a concentric disc 85 on the camshaft 17 when the camshaft is in knitting position and a cam 86 on the camshaft when the camshaft is in fashioning position. l

In the knitting position of the camshaft, shown in FIG. l, the disc 85 acts on the levers 80 and 81 to hold the cam slide 77 in raised position at which time the high surface 75 of the cam slide holds the rod 26, member 51 and follower portion 45 to the right as above set forth. When the camshaft is in fashioning position, the follower 82 rides from a high portion 87 of cam 86 which is at the same level as the outer periphery of disc 85 to a low portion 90 of the cam at which time the cam slide is lowered by levers 80 and 8l to position the low surface 76 of the cam slide beneath the follower 72 on the slide bar thereby permitting a spring 91 connected between the shaft 23 and the rod 26 (FIG. l) to move the rod 26 toward the left. Movement of the rod 26 to the left in turn moves the slide bar 51 to the left to move the follower portion 45 into engagement with a button 42 on the chain 4l to position the rod 26 and align the points thereon with the needles from which stitches are to be transferred or to move the points to a preliminary position from which they are subsequently moved into alignment with the needles from which the stitches are to be transferred in the manner hereinafter set forth.

Following movement of the rod 26 and points 25 to the left to engage the follower portion 45 with a button 42 on the chain 41 the sleeve 46 and disc 52 are rotated to engage the high surface 54 on the disc 52 with one of the buttons 57, 60 and 62 to transfer the stitches removed from the needles by the points or to idly move the points into alignment with other needles from which the stitches are to be transferred. lt is to be noted here that the high surface 54 is moved to coact only with buttons 57, 60 and 62 to control the points 25 during stitch transfer movements, as hereinafter set forth, and that the button 61 issued only to support the disc 52 during movement of the high surface between the buttons 60 and 62. For rotating the disc 52 the sleeve 46 is provided with an arm 92 pivotally connected to a lever 95 which is pivoted on one of the support shafts of the machine in the manner set forth in said U.S4 Pat. No. 2,182,220. The lever 95 is pivotally connected by a link 96 to one arm 97 of a cam lever 100 pivoted on a bracket 101 secured on the framework ofthe machine.

The lever has a second arm 102 the free end of which carries a support pin 105 for rotatably mounting cam followers 106 and 107. The follower 106 is held against axial movement on the pin 105 and is adapted to engage a booster cam member 110 secured to one side face ofa concentric disc 111 on the camshaft 17. The follower 107 is adapted to ride on the disc 111 when the camshaft 17 is in knitting position, as shown in FIG. l, and is adapted to ride on a concentric disc 112 when the camshaft is shifted to the left during fashioning cycles. The discs 111 and 112 are of the same diameter and act through the various levers and links to normally position the sleeve 46 and the high surfaces 54 ofthe disc 52 in engagement with the neutral buttons 60 and the booster cam member 110 is adapted to turn the lever 100 to lift the follower 107 slightly above the periphery of the discs during movement of the camshaft between knitting and fashioning positions.

The follower 107 is also adapted to be shifted from the disc 112 into alignment with cams 115, 116, 117 and 118 (FIG. 2) during fashioning cycles of the machine. For this purpose the follower 107 is engaged by the forked end 120 of a lever 121 which in turn is operated by a lever 122 the levers 121 and 122 being pivotally mounted on a bracket 125 carried on the front beam l1 in the manner set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 2,182,220. An arm 126 of the lever 122 is connected to a rod 127. The rod 127 is connected to the lower end of an arm 130 ofa lever 131 pivoted on a bracket 132 of an auxiliary pattern chain device 135` A second arm 136 of the lever 131 is acted on by one arm 138 of a pattern lever 139 pivotally mounted on the bracket 132 and a second arm 143 of the lever 139 is acted on by buttons 137 of different heights on a chain 140 of the device 135 to turn lever 131 and move the rod toward the left thereby turning lever 122 to shift the follower 107 from the disc 112 to one of the cams 115-118 as hereinafter set forth. A spring 141 connected between the rod 127 and the front beam 11 biases the rod toward the right when no button 137 is beneath the lever 139 to turn levers 121 and 122 and shift and hold the follower 107 in alignment with the disc 112 when no shifting of the rod 26 and points 25 are required when the camshaft is in fashioning position.

Each of the cams 115, 116, 117 and 118 is provided with a portion 142 which has the same radius as discs 111 and 112 to permit movement of the follower 107 by the levers 121 and 122 from the disc 112 into alignment with one of the cams. The portion 142 of cam 115 is followed by a high portion 145 as the cam and camshaft 17 is rotated in the direction of the arrow (FIG, 2) which acts on the follower to turn the sleeve 46 and the high surfaces 54 of the disc 52 from the neutral buttons 60 to the high buttons 62 to move the rod 26 and points 25 from their position as determined by a button 42 on the chain 41 to align the points with the needles from which the stitches are to be removed from the needles and transferred. The high portion of the cam is followed by a low portion 146 which acts to turn the sleeve and high surfaces 54 on the disc 52 from the high buttons 62 to the low buttons 57 on the disc 55 to transfer the stitches on the points three needles to the left from the needles on which they were formed. The follower 107 rides from the low portion 146 to the portion 142 of the cam 115 to again return the high surfaces 54 into engagement with the neutral buttons 60 and to permit movement of the follower from the cam 115 to one of the other cams 116, 117 and 118 during successive fashioning cycles, as hereinafter set forth, or to the disc 112.

The portion 142 of cam 116 is followed by a high portion 147 at the same level as portion 142 which acts on the follower 107 to maintain the high surfaces 54 on the disc 52 in engagement with the neutral buttons 60 to maintain the points in alignment with the needles from which the stitches are to be transferred as determined by a button 42 on the chain 41. The high portion 147 of cam 116 is followed by a low portion 150 which acts to turn the sleeve 46 and the high surfaces on the disc 52 from the neutral buttons 60 to the low buttons 57 to transfer the stitches on the points 25 one needle to the left. The portion 142 of cam 11'7 is followed by a low portion 151 which acts to move the high surfaces 54 into engagement with the low buttons 57 on the disc 55 to reposition the points from the position determined by a button 42 on chain 41 to align the points with the needles from which the stitches are to be removed and transferred by the points. The low portion 151 of cam 117 is followed by a high portion 152 which is at the same level as portion 142 and which acts to move the high surfaces 54 into engagement with the neutral buttons 60 on the disc 55 to transfer the stitches on the points one needle to the right.

The portion 142 of cam 118 is followed by a low portion S which acts to turn the high surfaces 54 of the disc from the neutral buttons 60 to the low buttons 57 to align the points with the needles from which the stitches are to be removed and transferred by the points after the points are initially positioned by a button 42 on the chain. The low portion 155 of cam 118 is followed by a high portion 156 which turns the high surfaces 54 of the disc 52 from the low buttons 57 to the high buttons 62 on the disc 55 to transfer the stitches on the points three needles to the right from the needles on which they were formed,

The lever 36 and pawl 37 are operated to advance the ratchet wheel 40 and chain 41 by an arm 157 (FIGS. 1 and 7) pivotally connected between a lever 160 pivoted on the front narrowing shaft 23 and a lever 161 pivoted on a shaft 162 supported in the center frames 10. The lever 161 is pivotally connected by a link 165 to one arm 166 of a lever 167 pivotally supported on a bracket 170 secured to the back beam 12. The lever 167 has a second arm 171 provided with a roller follower 172 for engagement with a concentric disc 175 when the camshaft is in knitting position which acts to inactivate the pawl during knitting cycles of the machine. The follower 172 is also adapted to be aligned with a cam 176 when the camshaft 17 is in fashioning position, the cam having a high portion 177 at the same level as the outer periphery ofthe disc 175 and a low portion 180. The high and low portions of cam 176 act, when the follower 172 is permitted to follow the contour of the cam, to operate lever 167, arm 157 and lever 36 to index the ratchet wheel 40 and chain.

The lever 167 is maintained inactive in the position determined bythe high portion 177 of the cam 176 to inactivate the pawl 37 when the camshaft 17 is in fashioning position to fashion the selvages of the fabric blanks and the lever is permitted to follow the contour of cam 176 to operate the pawl to advance the chain 41 only when the follower 107 is shifted into alignment with one of the cams 11S-118. The lever 167 is maintained in inactive position by a nose portion 181 of a lever 182 when the nose portion overlies the arm 166 of the lever 167. The lever 182, which is pivoted on the bracket 170, is pivotally connected by a link 185 to an arm 186 carried on one end of a shaft 187 extending from the back to the front of the machine and mounted for oscillating movements in brackets 190 and 191 on the front and back beams 1l and 12, respectively (FIG. 7). At its other end the shaft carries a second arm 192 which is connected to the rod 127 for movement therewith. When the rod 127 is shifted to the left by one of the buttons 137 on chain 140 to shift the follower 107 to any one of the cams 11S- 118, the rod operates arms 192 and 186 to operate lever 182 to remove the nose portion 181 thereof from the above arm 166 thereby permitting lever 167 to follow cam 176 to index the chain 41.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10 there is shown portions of fabrics having cable stitch patterns which are formed in accordance with the invention. In the fabric of FIG. 9 the cable stitches are shown formed in a series of five needle stitch wales which are initially knitted on needles 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d and 10e as indicated `in FIG. 1l. The group of needles 10a-10e are flanked at opposite ends by dummy or nonknitting needles 195, from which the beards are removed, around which yarn is measured by the sinkers to provide additional yarn for the transferred or cable stitches and to form a wide wale 196 between the cable stitch wales and the wales of the adjacent plain stitch portions of the fabric. The fabric courses in which the cable stitches are formed, indicated at 197, are separated by three plain stitch courses 198.

Each of the courses 197 is formed by the sequence of steps indicated at A tol in FIG. 11. Following knitting of the course of stitches as indicated in step A, a button on the main chain device 20 causes the camshaft 17 to shift from knitting to fashioning position, a button 137 of appropriate height on the chain of the auxiliary chain device 135 operates the rod 127 to shift the follower 107 into alignment with cam 116 and to move lever 182 to release lever 167 for operation and a button 42 on the chain 41 positions the single point 25 in alignment with needle 10d, as indicated in dotted outline in step B. After the stitch on needle 10d is removed by the point it is shifted one needle to the left by the action of the cam 116 to transfer the stitch to needle 10c to double it with the stitch knit by needle 10c to complete step B. Following the stitch transferring step B and the subsequent stitch transferring steps Cto l, the lever 167 operates to index the chain 4l and successive buttons on the main chain device maintain the camshaft in fashioning position. ln step C a button on the chain 140 retains the follower 107 in alignment with the cam 116 and a button 42 on the chain 41 positions the point 25 in alignment with the needle 10e as indicated in dotted outline. Following removal of the stitch on needle 10e the point is shifted one needle to the left to needle 10d by the action of cam 116. During step D a button on the chain 140 shifts the follower from cam 116 and into alignment with the cam 118 and a button 42 on chain 41 initially positions the point 25 in alignment with the needle 10c. Prior to the dipping movement of the point to remove a stitch from the needles the cam 118 acts to position the point in alignment with the needle 10b. Following removal of the stitch on needle 10b the point is shifted three needles to the right to transfer this stitch to needle: 10e.

ln step E the follower 107 is shifted from the cam 118 to the cam 116 by a button on the chain 140 and a button on the chain 4l positions the point in alignment with the needle 10c. The point is then shifted one needle to the left after removing the stitches from needle 10c to transfer these stitches to needle 10b. ln step F a button on chain 41 positions the point 25 in alignment with needle 10d and a button on the chain 140 maintains the follower 107 in engagement with the cam 116` After the stitch is removed from needle 10d the point is shifted one needle to the left by cam 116 to transfer this stitch to needle 10c. During step G a button on the chain 41 initially positions the point in alignment with needle 10b and a button on chain 140 shifts the follower 107 from cam 116 to cam 118. Prior to the dipping movement of the point to remove a stitch from the needles the cam 118 acts to shift the point from needle 10b to needle 10a and after removing the stitch from neeA dle 10a the point is shifted three needles to the right by cam 118 to transfer this stitch to needle 10d.

ln step H a button on chain 41 posit-ions the point in alignment with needle 10b and a button on chain 140 shifts the follower 107 from cam 118 to cam 116. After the stitches are removed from the needle 10b the point is shifted one needle to the left by cam 116 and the stitches are transferred to needle 10a. ln step l a button on chain 41 positions the point in alignment with needle 10c and a button on chain 140 maintains the follower 107 in engagement with the cam 116. Following removal of the stitch from needle 10c the point is shifted one needle to the left by cam 116 to transfer this stitch to needle 10b to complete the cable stitch course 197. Following the last fashioning cycle to complete step l the follower 107 is permitted to return to the disc 112 by omitting buttons on the chain 140 and the camshaft is permitted to return to knitting position at which time the follower 107 is aligned with disc 111 to permit the plain courses 198 and the next cable stitch courses to be knitted.

ln the fabric of FIG. l0 the cable stitch courses 197 alternate with cable stitch courses 200i The courses 197 are formed by the steps A-l of FIG. 1l and the courses 200 are formed by similar steps except that where certain of the stitches in course 197 are transferred in single-needle movements to the left and others of the stitches are transferred in three-needle movements to the right, the transfer movements of the stitches in courses 200 are reversed so that certain of the stitches are transferred t the right in single-needle movements and others of the stitches are transferred to the left in three-needle movements. To obtain the required movements of the points 25 to form the courses 200, buttons are provided on the chain 140 to shift the follower 107 into alignment with the cam 117 which acts to shift the points to transfer the stitches one needle to the right and other buttons are provided on the chain 140 to shift the follower 107 into alignment with the cam 115 which acts to shift the points to transfer stitches three needles to the left as previously set forth.

FIG. 12 illustrates the sequence of steps required in forming the cable stitch pattern of FIG. 9 on a so-called half gauge machine adapted to knit very coarse gauge fabric. In the half gauge machine alternate needles 10 in the needle bar 16 are replaced by the dummy or nonknitting needles 195 employed to form the wide wales 196 ofthe fabric of FIGS. 9 and 10 and around which yarn is measured by the sinkers to provide additional yarn for the coarse stitches formed by the needles 10. As shown in FIG. l2 the cable stitch pattern is formed on a group of five knitting needles 10f to 10j which alternate with nonknitting needles 195 and the group of knitting needles is separated from the needles 10 by two nonknitting needles. Also in order to provide the required movement ofthe points to transfer the stitches formed by the needles l0fto 10j the cam 117 is replaced by a cam 201 (FIG. 8) that acts to move the high surfaces 54 on the disc 52 from the neutral buttons 60 to the high buttons 62 after the points remove the stitches from the needles to move the points and transfer the stitches one knitting needle to the right or a distance which is equal to the spacing between the adjacent nonknitting needle and the next knitting needle or between two knitting needles in the full gauge machine. The cam 116 is also replaced by a cam 202 that acts to move the high surfaces 54 on the disc 52 from the neutral buttons 60 to the high buttons 62 to reposition the points from the position determined by a button 42 on the chain 4l before the points remove the stitches from the needles and the cam then acts to return the high surfaces to the neutral buttons to move the points and transfer the stitches one knitting needle to the left or a distance which is equal to one knitting needle and one nonknitting needle.

The sequence of steps in forming a cable stitch course similar to the course 197 of FIGS. 9 and 10 on the half gauge machine are indicated at J to T in FIG. l2 with step J illustrating the course of stitches as it is initially formed. Following knitting of the course of stitches of step J the first of a group of buttons on the main chain causes the camshaft 17 to shift from knitting to fashioning position, a button of appropriate height on the chain 140 of the auxiliary chain device 135 causes shifting of the follower 107 into alignment with the cam 202 and a button 42 on the chain 4l positions the single point 25 in alignment with the needle 10h and the cam 202 then acts to align the point with the needle 10i, as indicated in dotted outv line in step K. After the stitch on needle 10i is removed by the point the point is shifted to the left to transfer the stitch to needle 10h to double it with the stitch initially knit by needle 10h to complete step K. In step L, a button on the chain 140 retains the follower 107 in engagement with the cam 201 and a button on the chain 4l positions the point 25 in alignment with the needle 10i and the cam 202 then acts to align the point with the needle 10j as indicated in dotted outline. Following removal ofthe stitch on needle 10j the point is shifted to the left to transfer the stitch to needle 10i by the action of cam 202. During step M a button on the chain 140 shifts the follower 107 into alignment with cam 118 and a button on the chain 41 initially positions the point 25 in alignment with the nonknitting needle 195 intermediate needles 10g and 10h. Prior to dipping movement of the point to remove a stitch from the needles the cam 118 acts to position the point in alignment with the needle 10g. Following removal of the stitch from needle 10g the point is shifted to the right a distance of three needle spaces, to transfer the stitch to the nonknitting needle 195 intermediate the needles 10h and 10i.

In step N a button on the chain retains the follower 107 in alignment with the cam 118 and a button on the chain 4l positions the point in alignment with the needle 10i. Prior to removal of a stitch from the needles by the point it is positioned in alignment with the nonknitting needle intermediate needles 10h and 10i by the cam 118 and after removal ofthe stitch from the nonknitting needle by the point, the point is shifted tothe right by the cam to transfer the stitch to needle 10j. During step O a button on the chain 140 shifts the follower 107 into alignment with the cam 202 and a button on the chain 41 positions the point 25 in alignment with the needle 10g cam 202 then aligns the point with the needle 10h. Following removal of the stitches on needle 10h the point is shifted to the left and the stitches are transferred to needle 10g. In step P a button on chain 140 retains the follower 107 in engagement with the cam 202 and a button on the chain 4l positions the point in alignment with the needle 10h and the cam then aligns the point with the needle 10i. After removal of the stitch on needle 10i the point is shifted to the left by cam 202 and the stitch is transferred to needle 10h.

In step O a button on chain 140 shifts the follower 107 into alignment with the cam 118 and a button on the chain 41 positions the point in alignment with the nonknitting needle 195 intermediate the needles 10f and 10g. Prior to the dipping movement of the point to remove a stitch from the needles, the point is positioned in alignment with the needle l0fby the cam 118 and after removal of the stitch from needle 10f the point is shifted to the right by the cam and the stitch on the point transferred to the nonknitting needle intermediate needles 10g and 10h. In step R the follower 107 is retained in alignment with the cam 118 by a button on the chain 140 and a button on the chain 41 positions the point 25 in alignment with the needle 10h. Prior to removal ofa stitch from the needles by the point it is positioned in alignment with the nonknitting needle intermediate needles 10g and 10 h by the cam 118 and after removal of the stitch from the nonknitting needle, the point is shifted to the right by cam l 18 to transfer the stitch on the point to the needle 10i.

During step S a button on chain 140 shifts the follower 107 into alignment with the cam 202 and a button on the chain 4l positions the point in alignment with the needle 10f and the cam then aligns the point with the needle 10g. Following the removal of the stitch from the needle 10g the point is shifted to the left by the cam 202 and the stitch transferred to needle 10f. In step T a button on the chain 140 retains the follower in engagement with the cam 202 and a button on the chain 4l positions the point in alignment with the needle 10g and the cam then acts to align the point with the needle 10h. After the stitch is removed from the needle 10h the point is shifted to the left by the cam 202 and the stitch transferred to the needle 10g to complete the cable stitch course,

Where it is desired to also form courses similar to courses 200 of FIG. 10 on the half gauge machine, the transfer movements of the points in steps K to T of FIG. 12 are reversed by cams 115 and 201 with cam 115 moving the points three needle spaces to the left during transferring movements and the cam 201 moving the points two needle spaces to the right during transferring movements.

It will be understood that the improvements specifically shown and described by which the above results are obtained, can be changed and modified in various ways without departing from the invention herein disclosed and hereinafter claimed.

What I claim is:

1. In a straight bar knitting machine having needles and cooperating sinkers for measuring yarn around said needles to be knitted thereby into courses of stitches of flat selvaged fabric blanks, a single point for removing individual stitches from a group of said needles on which said stitches are knit and for transferring said stitches in opposite directions to other needles of said group to form design stitch patterns in spaced courses of said fabric blanks, means for selectively positioning said single point in alignment with each of said needles of said group, operating means for said selectively positioning means, means for operating said single point to remove the stitch from the needle with which said point is aligned, and means for shifting said single point to transfer a stitch removed thereby from needles of said group to other needles of said group, said last mentioned means including a first cam for shifting said point to transfer the stitches from needles of said group with which said point is aligned by said selectively positioning means, and a second cam for moving said single point from alignment with needles of said group as determined by said selectively positioning means into alignment with other needles of said group, said second cam also acting to shift said point to transfer the stitches from said other needles of said group after said point is aligned therewith by said second cam.

2. ln a machine according to claim l in which said first cam is adapted to shift said point to transfer the stitches a distance of one needle in one direction from the needles with which said point is aligned by said selectively positioning means, and said second cam is adapted to shift said-point to transfer the stitches a distance of three needles in one direction from the needles with which said point is aligned by said second cam.

3. ln a machine according to claim 2 in which said transfer movement of said single point by said first and second cams is in opposite directions.

4. ln a machine according to claim 3 in which said shifting means for said point includes a third cam for moving said single point from alignment with needles of said group as determined by said selectively positioning means into alignment with other needles of said group, said third cam also acting to shift said point to transfer the stitches a distance of one needle from the needles with which said point is aligned by said third cam means, the transfer movement of said point by said third cam being opposite to the transfer movement of said point by said first cam.

5. ln a machine according to claim 4 in which said shifting means for said point includes a fourth cam for moving said single point from alignment with needles of said group as determined by said selectively positioning means into alignment with other needles of said group, said fourth cam also acting to shift said point to transfer said stitches a distance of three nee dles from the needles with which said point is aligned by said fourth cam, the transfer movement of said point by said fourth cam being opposite to the transfer movement of said point by said second cam.

6. ln a machine according to claim Sin which there is means for controlling the operation of said first and second cams to shift said single point in stitch transferring movements in successive ones of said spaced courses of said fabric blank.

7. In a machine according to claim 6 in which said controlling means controls the operation of said first and second cams to shift said single point in stitch-transferring movements in alternate ones of said spaced courses of said fabric, and said controlling means controls the operation of said third and fourth cams to shift said single point in stitch transferring movements in the others of said spaced courses of said fabric.

8. ln a machine according to claim 7 in which said means for controlling the operation of said cams also controls said operating means for said selectively positioning means.

9. ln a machine according to claim l in which said needles of said group are separated from others of said needles at opposite sides of said group by at least one nonknitting needle, said sinkers cooperating with said nonknitting needles to mea' sure yarn to form a wide wale at opposite sides of said design stitch pattern in said fabric blanks.

10. In a machine according to claim 2 in which said group of needles includes alternate knitting and nonknitting needles, and said sinkers measure yarn around said knitting and nonknitting needles to be formed into stitches by said knitting needles, and said means for shifting said single point to transfer stitches removed thereby from knitting needles of said group to other knitting needles of said group includes a first cam adapted to shift said point to transfer the stitches in one direction from the knitting needles with which said point is aligned by said selectively positioning means to the next adjacent knitting needles, and a second cam adapted to move said single point from alignment with needles of said group as determined by said selectively positioning means into alignv ment with other knitting needles of said group, said second cam also acting to shift said point to transfer the stitches in a direction opposite to said one direction from said other knitting needles of said group a distance between three knitting needles after said point is aligned by said second cam.

ll. A machine according to claim l0 in which the spacing between adjacent knitting needles includes one of said nonknitting needles, and the spacing between three of said knitting needles includes two of said nonknitting needles, said second cam acting to shift said single point a distance of three knitting needles in two steps during the first step of which said point is shifted to transfer a stitch from a knitting needle to a nonknitting needle and during the second step of which said point is shifted to transfer the same stitch from said nonknitting needle to a knitting needle.

l2. A method of operating a straight bar knitting machine having needles, sinkers for measuring yarn around said needles to be knitted thereby into courses of stitches of flat selvaged fabric blanks, and a single point for removing individual stitches from a group of said needles on which said stitches are knit and for transferring said stitches in opposite directions to the other needles of said group to form design stitches in spaced courses of said fabric blanks including the steps of operating said single point and transferring the stitches from needles at one side of said group of needles a distance of one needle in one direction to other needles in said group and operating said point and vtransferring the stitches from the needles at said other side of said group a distance of three needles in a direction opposite to said one direction to the needles at said one side of said group, and repeating said one and three needle operating movements of said single point until the stitches knit on the needles at one side of said group are on the needles at the other side of said group and the stitches knit on the needles at said other side of said group are on said needles at said one side of said group.

13. A method according to claim l2 in which a stitch on one of said needles at said one side of said group is doubled with a stitch on another of said needles at said one side of said group during one of said one-needle operating movements of said single point, and said double stitch is transferred to a needle at said other side of said group during another of said one-needle operating movements of said single point.

14. A method of operating a straight bar knitting machine having alternate knitting and nonknitting needles, sinkers for measuring yarn around said knitting and nonknitting needles to be knitted by said knitting needles into courses of stitches of flat selvaged fabric blanks, and a single point for removing said stitches from a group of said knitting needles on which said stitches are knit and for transferring said stitches in opposite directions to other knitting needles of said group to form design stitches in spaced courses of said fabric blanks including the steps of operating said single point and transferring the stitches from knitting needles at one side of said group of needles a distance of two needles in one direction to next adjacent ones of said knitting needles of said group, repeating said two-needle operating movements of said single point until the stitches knit on the knitting needles at said one side of said group are transferred to the knitting needles at the other side of said group, operating said point and transferring the stitches from the needles at said other side of said group a distance of three needles in a direction opposite 'to said one direction to other needles of said group, and repeating said three-needle operating movements of said point until the stitches knit on the knitting needles at said other side of said group are transferred to the knitting needles at said one side of said group.

l5. A method according to claim 114 in which each of the stitches knit on said knitting needles at said other side of said group are transferred to a nonknitting needle during one of said three-needle operating movements of said point to transfer it to a knitting needle at the other side of said group.

16. A method of operating a straight bar knitting machine having needles, sinkers for measuring yarn around said needles to be knitted thereby into courses of stitches of flat selvaged fabric blanks, and a single point for removing individual stitches from a group of five of said needles on which said stitches are knit and for transferring said stitches in opposite directions to other needles of said group to form design stitches in spaced courses of said fabric blanks including the steps of operating said single point and transferring the stitches from three needles at one side of said group of needles a distance of one needle in one direction to other needles in said group and operating said point and transferring the stitches from the two needles at said other side of said group a distance of three needles in a direction opposite to said one direction to needles at said one side of said group, and repeating said one needle operating movements of said single point to continue to transfer said stitches formed on said three needles in said one direction until the stitches knit on the needles at said one side of said group are on the needles at said other side of said group. 

1. In a straight bar knitting machine having needles and cooperating sinkers for measuring yarn around said needles to be knitted thereby into courses of stitches of flat selvaged fabric blanks, a single point for removing individual stitches from a group of said needles on which said stitches are knit and for transferring said stitches in opposite directions to other needles of said group to form design stitch patterns in spaced courses of said fabric blanks, means for selectively positioning said single point in alignment with each of said needles of said group, operating means for said selectively positioning means, means for operating said single point to remove the stitch from the needle with which said point is aligned, and means for shifting said single point to transfer a stitch removed thereby from needles of said group to other needles of said group, said last mentioned means including a first cam for shifting said point to transfer the stitches from needles of said group with which said point is aligned by said selectively positioning means, and a second cam for moving said single point from alignment with needles of said group as determined by said selectively positioning means into alignment with other needles of said group, said second cam also acting to shift said point to transfer the stitches from said other needles of said group after said point is aligned therewith by said second cam.
 2. In a machine according to claim 1 in which said first cam is adapted to shift said point to transfer the stitches a distance of one needle in one direction from the needles with which said point is aligned by said selectively positioning means, and said second cam is adapted to shift said point to transfer the stitches a distance of three needles in one direction from the needles with which said point is aligned by said second cam.
 3. In a machine according to claim 2 in which said transfer movement of said single point by said first and second cams is in opposite directions.
 4. In a machine according to claim 3 in which said shifting means for said point includes a third cam for moving said single point from alignment with needles of said group as determined by said selectively positioning means into alignment with other needles of said group, said third cam also acting to shift said point to transfer the stitches a distance of one needle from the needles with which said point is aligned by said third cam means, the transfer movement of said point by said third cam being opposite to the transfer movement of said point by said first cam.
 5. In a machine according to claim 4 in which said shifting means for said point includes a fourth cam for moving said single point from alignment with needles of said group as determined by said selectively positioning means into alignment with other needles of said group, said fourth cam also acting to shift said point to transfer said stitches a distance of three needles from the needles with which said point is aligned by said fourth cam, the transfer movement of said point by said fourth cam being opposite to the transfer movement of said point by said second cam.
 6. In a machine according to claim 5 in which there is means for controlling the operation of said first and second cams to shift said single point in stitch transferring movements in successive ones of said spaced courses of said fabric blank.
 7. In a machine according to claim 6 in which said controlling means controls the operation of said first and second cams to shiFt said single point in stitch-transferring movements in alternate ones of said spaced courses of said fabric, and said controlling means controls the operation of said third and fourth cams to shift said single point in stitch transferring movements in the others of said spaced courses of said fabric.
 8. In a machine according to claim 7 in which said means for controlling the operation of said cams also controls said operating means for said selectively positioning means.
 9. In a machine according to claim 1 in which said needles of said group are separated from others of said needles at opposite sides of said group by at least one nonknitting needle, said sinkers cooperating with said nonknitting needles to measure yarn to form a wide wale at opposite sides of said design stitch pattern in said fabric blanks.
 10. In a machine according to claim 2 in which said group of needles includes alternate knitting and nonknitting needles, and said sinkers measure yarn around said knitting and nonknitting needles to be formed into stitches by said knitting needles, and said means for shifting said single point to transfer stitches removed thereby from knitting needles of said group to other knitting needles of said group includes a first cam adapted to shift said point to transfer the stitches in one direction from the knitting needles with which said point is aligned by said selectively positioning means to the next adjacent knitting needles, and a second cam adapted to move said single point from alignment with needles of said group as determined by said selectively positioning means into alignment with other knitting needles of said group, said second cam also acting to shift said point to transfer the stitches in a direction opposite to said one direction from said other knitting needles of said group a distance between three knitting needles after said point is aligned by said second cam.
 11. A machine according to claim 10 in which the spacing between adjacent knitting needles includes one of said nonknitting needles, and the spacing between three of said knitting needles includes two of said nonknitting needles, said second cam acting to shift said single point a distance of three knitting needles in two steps during the first step of which said point is shifted to transfer a stitch from a knitting needle to a nonknitting needle and during the second step of which said point is shifted to transfer the same stitch from said nonknitting needle to a knitting needle.
 12. A method of operating a straight bar knitting machine having needles, sinkers for measuring yarn around said needles to be knitted thereby into courses of stitches of flat selvaged fabric blanks, and a single point for removing individual stitches from a group of said needles on which said stitches are knit and for transferring said stitches in opposite directions to the other needles of said group to form design stitches in spaced courses of said fabric blanks including the steps of operating said single point and transferring the stitches from needles at one side of said group of needles a distance of one needle in one direction to other needles in said group and operating said point and transferring the stitches from the needles at said other side of said group a distance of three needles in a direction opposite to said one direction to the needles at said one side of said group, and repeating said one and three needle operating movements of said single point until the stitches knit on the needles at one side of said group are on the needles at the other side of said group and the stitches knit on the needles at said other side of said group are on said needles at said one side of said group.
 13. A method according to claim 12 in which a stitch on one of said needles at said one side of said group is doubled with a stitch on another of said needles at said one side of said group during one of said one-needle operating movements of said single point, and said double stitch is transferred to a needle at said other side of said group during another of said one-needle operating movements of said single point.
 14. A method of operating a straight bar knitting machine having alternate knitting and nonknitting needles, sinkers for measuring yarn around said knitting and nonknitting needles to be knitted by said knitting needles into courses of stitches of flat selvaged fabric blanks, and a single point for removing said stitches from a group of said knitting needles on which said stitches are knit and for transferring said stitches in opposite directions to other knitting needles of said group to form design stitches in spaced courses of said fabric blanks including the steps of operating said single point and transferring the stitches from knitting needles at one side of said group of needles a distance of two needles in one direction to next adjacent ones of said knitting needles of said group, repeating said two-needle operating movements of said single point until the stitches knit on the knitting needles at said one side of said group are transferred to the knitting needles at the other side of said group, operating said point and transferring the stitches from the needles at said other side of said group a distance of three needles in a direction opposite to said one direction to other needles of said group, and repeating said three-needle operating movements of said point until the stitches knit on the knitting needles at said other side of said group are transferred to the knitting needles at said one side of said group.
 15. A method according to claim 14 in which each of the stitches knit on said knitting needles at said other side of said group are transferred to a nonknitting needle during one of said three-needle operating movements of said point to transfer it to a knitting needle at the other side of said group.
 16. A method of operating a straight bar knitting machine having needles, sinkers for measuring yarn around said needles to be knitted thereby into courses of stitches of flat selvaged fabric blanks, and a single point for removing individual stitches from a group of five of said needles on which said stitches are knit and for transferring said stitches in opposite directions to other needles of said group to form design stitches in spaced courses of said fabric blanks including the steps of operating said single point and transferring the stitches from three needles at one side of said group of needles a distance of one needle in one direction to other needles in said group and operating said point and transferring the stitches from the two needles at said other side of said group a distance of three needles in a direction opposite to said one direction to needles at said one side of said group, and repeating said one needle operating movements of said single point to continue to transfer said stitches formed on said three needles in said one direction until the stitches knit on the needles at said one side of said group are on the needles at said other side of said group. 